Federal Subsistence Board to Hold Public Meeting on Wildlife Special Action Requests WSA 23-02 and WSA 23-04 Regarding Closure of all 2023/24 Nelchina Caribou Hunts in Units 11, 12, and 13

Wildlife Special Action Request WSA23-04, submitted by the Alaska Board of Game requests that the Board close the Nelchina caribou winter hunts in Units 11, 12, and 13 due to conservation concerns. 

The above requests follow recent Board action on emergency Wildlife Special Actions Requests WSA23-01 and WSA23-03, which closed Federal public lands to hunting of Nelchina caribou by all users for the fall 2023 season in Unit 13. The Board approved WSA23-01/03, recognizing that serious conservation concerns warranted the closure.  The most recent population information indicates the Nelchina Caribou Herd is in precipitous decline. 

Public hearings on WSA23-02 and WSA23-04 were conducted on August 31, 2023. 

The staff analysis for these requests is available online at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/board. 

Board teleconference meeting information: 

October 19, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  (Or until Board completes its business) 
Teleconference: 1-888-455-7761 Passcode: 2816724 

To participate via teleconference, call the toll-free telephone number provided above.  When prompted, enter the passcode. There will be an opportunity for public comments. 

Reasonable Accommodations: The Federal Subsistence Board is committed to providing access to these meetings for all participants. Please make requests in advance for sign language interpreter services, assistive listening devices, or other reasonable accommodations. Please make requests to Kayla Mckinney, (907) 786–3880, subsistence@fws.gov, at least 7 business days prior to the meeting you would like to attend to give the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sufficient time to process your request. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case-by-case basis.  

Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska. 

Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program, you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov. 

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